Shepherd&#39;s hook.



H. E. NEWMAN, JR.

SHEPHBRDS HOOK.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1909.

Patented July 26, 1910. 7

By ATTURNEY8*- A HENRY EDDY NEWMAN, JR, OF SI-IOSI-IONE, IDAHO.

SHEPHERDS HOOK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 8, 1909. Serial No. 516,728.

Patented July 26, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. NEWMAN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Shoshone, in the county of Lincoln and State of Idaho, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shepherds Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in shepherds hooks, and consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified, wherein the "hook may be closed by a latch, and wherein the latch may be locked in open position, and released by the engagement of the hook with the leg of the sheep.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hook. Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the latch closed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the latch.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings consists of a hook 1, having a shank 2, and the shank is provided with a socket 3, for receiving the usual stafi' or handle 4, to which it is secured by a rivet 5.

At the junction of the hook proper with the shank is a latch 6, which normally eX- tends across the space between the body portion of the hook and the bill 7 thereof, the said latch being are shaped as shown, and being slidably mounted on the body portion of the hook. The latch consists of a body portion, which is substantially square in cross section, and a reduced portion or arm 8, which extends from one side, a lateral shoulder 9 being formed between the body portion and the arm. The outer or free end of the arm is cut away as at 10 to form a catch 11, the said catch having a square inner face 12, and a beveled outer face 13.

An opening or recess 14 is arranged in the shoulder extending longitudinally of the body portion, and the arm is provided with a finger piece or button 15, which is offset laterally from the arm by a lug 16, and the outer surface of the finger piece is roughened to prevent slipping of the finger.

A cover 18 is provided, which forms with the body portion of the hook a casing in which moves the latch and the cover is slotted as at 18 to permit the passage of the lug 16. A lug 19 is pivoted at 24 to the casing at the opposite end from the latch, and the end of the lug adjacent to the latch is cut away as at 20 to form a nose whose face 21 adjacent to the latch is beveled while the opposite face 22 is square for engaging the square face of the catch on the latch arm. An arm 23 is also pivoted on the pivot pin 24 of the lug 19, the said arm having a lateral recess in which is received the end of the lug, and the said end of the lug, as well as the adjacent face of the recess is square, so that when the arm is rocked on the pivot, the lug is also rocked. The arm extends alongside the hook, and the adjacent face thereof is curved to fit the hook, the arm extending to a point as shown, and being roundedfrom side to side. The said arm is directly behind the opening between the body portion of the hook and the bill.

A spiral spring 25 is arranged between the shoulder 9 of the latch and the adjacent end 26 of the arm, the said end being square as shown in Fig. 4, and a curved rod 27 is within the spring, the outer end of the rod being headed as at 28. The rod acts as a guide for the spring, and extends into the opening 14, when the latch is set. The spring bears at one end against the head 28, and the other end is received in the recess 14, the said spring acting to retain the latch in closed position, that is, extending across the space between the hook and the bill. The bill 7 of the hook is of considerable length, and inclines outwardly from the shank in the usual manner, so that the leg of the animal is easily engaged with the hook.

In operation, the latch is pressed backward into the cover against the resistance of the spring by the pressure of the thumb on the button, until the catch 11 engages the nose of the lug 19. The spring is now under compression, and the hook is open. The hook is engaged with the leg of theanimal, and as the leg passes forwardly into the hook it engages the tripping arm 23. The arm is moved against the body of the hook, and this movement rocks the lug 19, away from the hook, to release the nose from the catch. As soon as it is released, the expansion of the spring shoots the latch out of the cover into closed position, and the leg of the animal is firmly grasped, and in such inanner that it cannot kick loose. The cover is secured in place by a screw 29, being made removable to permit access to the parts, and together with the body of the hook forms an are shaped guideway for receiving the latch and a shield for the operating mechanism thereof. It will be observed that all of the said mechanism is hidden, the only projecting parts being the latch and the arm. The contour of the hook is thus smooth, with no projecting parts to injure the sheep, or to be caught in the wool and broken or disopposite end of the guideway from the latch, I

and provided with a nose for engaging and holding the catch, an arnrfor rocking the lug to release the catch, said arm extending across the hook behind the latch, a coil spring between the lug and the shoulder of the latch, a curved rod in the spring, said rod having a head for engaging the lug, and against which the spring bears, and a thumb piece for operating the latch, the guideway having a lateral slot through which the thumb piece extends.

2. The combination with the hook, of a latch slidable on the body portion of the hook and adapted to extend across the space between the said body portion and the bill of the hook whereby to close the hook, a catch on the latch, a lug having a nose for engagement by the catch to retain the latch in open position, a spring acting normally to slide the hook into closed position, and a tripping arm connected with the lug for rocking the same to release the latch, said arm extending across the hook behind the latch. v

3. The combination with the hook, of a latch slidable on the body portion of the hook and adapted to extend across the space between the said body portion and the bill of the hook whereby to close the hook, a

catch on the latch, a lug having a nose for engagement by the catch to retain the latch in open position, a spring acting normally to slide the hook into closed position, and a tripping arm connected with the lug for rocking the same to release the latch.

4. The combination with the hook, of a latch slidable on the body portion of the hook and adapted to extend across the space between the said body portion and the bill of the hook whereby to close the hook, a catch on the latch, a lug having a nose for engagement by the catch to retain the latch in open position, means for sliding the hook into closed position, and a tripping arm connected with the lug for releasing the latch.

5. The combination with the hook, of a latch slidable on the body portion of the hook and adapted to extend across the space between the said body portion and the bill of the hook whereby to close the hook, a catch on the latch, a nose for engagement. by the catch to retain the latch in open position, a tripping arm connected with the nose, and a spring for moving the latch into closed position.

6. The combination with the hook, of a latch slidable on the body portion of the hook and adapted to extend across the space between the said body portion and the bill of the hook whereby to close the hook, means for retaining the latch in open position, a tripping arm for releasing said means, and a spring for moving the latch into closed position.

7. In a device of the character specified, a latch slidable 011 the hook for closing the hook, said latch being curved to lit the hook, and a cover having a groove for the latch and forming with-the hook a casing for inclosing said latch, means for withdrawing the latch into the groove, means for retaining it in the groove, and a tripping arm for releasing the retaining means extending out of the casing.

HENRY EDDY NEVMAN, JR.

lVit-nesses RAY H. WILLIAMS, H. HoRsLEY. 

